MANILA, April 19, 2013—More than a hundred lay leaders, members of workers’ community, Church people including religious nun and other Churches attended the workers forum organized by the Church People Workers Solidarity (CWS), ahead of the national celebration of Labor Day on May 1.
Held at the Institute of Preaching in Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City, the forum titled “The Hopes and Dreams of the Worker,” reminded the participants to rekindle the fire of solidarity and unity among Church people and workers to work for a better society where there is fullness of life and equal dignity for all people.
In his opening remarks, Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, OP, rector of UST Central Seminary, emphasized that the Church together with the workers must continue the work that was started.
“Workers and what they do are important. They have rights and dignity, so we must respect them,” he added.
Pedregosa, who is one of the convenor of CWS hopes that the forum can be an instrument in continuing the advocacy of promoting the efforts of workers.
Mr. Elmer Labog, co-chairperson of CWS, discussed the struggle of the workers and the challenges they encounter today.
He also gave the 10 points call of Filipino workers to the government which will help them attain a stable opportunity here in the country.
Sr. Emelina Villegas, ICM, also a convenor of CWS talked about the Church response in the historical struggle of the workers in the Philippines.
Villegas said there are two forms of response from the Church; these are spiritual preaching and the service.
The half-day event culminated with an open forum. (Jandel Posion with reports from Pio Antonio Bellen)
